England is set to get its first twins to play for them when they will take on New Zealand in the fourth ODI as Craig Overton and Jamie Overton have been inducted in the team. Brothers are the wonders of gentleman’s game cricket. They fascinate the fans around the world with their uncanny ability. They confused commentators on the pitch as they resemble each other while some become opponent of each other for a place in the team. There is a rare case where both brothers triumph together. There is a case where brothers were involved in a conspiracy on the cricket field.
Let’s have a look on the well known and unknown brothers of cricket:
Chappell brothers
Greg Chappell
He is one of the players who scored two centuries in both innings of his fare well Test and registered altogether 24 centuries. He as a captain won 21 Test out of 48. Beside his crafty batting, cricket fans remember him for his controversial instruction to his brother Trevor Chappell to bowl an under arm delivery against arch rival New Zealand, and a stormy public falling out with former India captain Sourav Ganguly.
Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell defined his career in his own way between 1971 and 1974. He inherited captaincy from Bill Lawry. He had unusual wisdom and conviction as a cricketer. He never lost a Test series. Among his individual feats, his partnership with Greg at the Oval in August, 1972 and at Wellington in Marcators.
Trevor Chappell
He was more successful in ODI cricket than in Test. He scored 110 for Australia against India in the 1983 world cup. Unfortunately for him he is most remembered for his involvement in the infamous underarm delivery, which he was instructed to bowl by Greg Chappell against New Zealand Brain McKechnie.
Crowe brothers
Jeff Crowe
Jeff Crowe, the elder of the two Crowe brothers, Jeff had strong chance to end up his career in rival camp of his brother Marin Crowe. Jeff first came to Test cricket in 1982-83, a year after his immensely gifted younger brother Martin. This happened because he launched his own career in South Australia, where he played with considerable success from 1977 and 1982. The Aussie selectors were interested in him, but he decided to sail through the Tasmanian Sea to his own land, and formed part of New Zealand cricket’s most successful era. Tall, blond haired and well built reliable fielder Jeff could also keep the wicket, Jeff resembled his brother Martin that the pair used to delight in swapping helmets to confuse commentators. His most notable innings was against the fiery West Indies bowling attack in Caribbean in 1984-85 series. New Zealand were crawling on first wicket down in the first Test. He came on the pitch and responded with century in the follow on at the Sabina Park. He led New Zealand for six Tests.
Martin Crowe
Martin was considered as one of the best young talents of international cricket of his time. He debuted at the age of 19. He broke a lot of records despite beleaguered by injuries which include broken shin, back injury, torn hamstrings, and at the twilight of his career he had been suffered by serious knee injury. One of the notable things of his captaincy was New Zealand’s first semifinal appearance in 1992 world cup. He was also the first captain who opened with spinner Deepak Patel. After Hadlee’s retirement he led the line, almost hobbling at times, with 380 runs in three Tests against England. He played for another 18 months but the final few Tests were too much for crumbling body. He was also haunted by some media coverage which raised questions about his private life. Unfortunately the legend has been suffering from cancer for a long time.
Waugh brothers
Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh was a phenomenon of his generation in his own rights. He made a debut in international cricket against India in 1985. At the age of 20 he was thrown in front of intimidating West Indian bowling attack. Waugh yielded some promising innings. But he lost his place to two minutes younger twin Mark Waugh. After an initial a hiccup he came back in the team, and he steered up Australia’s series victory over West Indies in 1993-94 with best score 200 in Jamaica. In the Ashes his back to back century in the Old Trafford Test helped Australia to win the Ashes.
Since then he moulded career as captain. He was the protagonist in building the Australia’s invincible team. In 1999 he took over the Test captaincy from Mark Taylor, and lead Australia to 16 consecutive Test victories that culminated with the world cup win. The elegant right hand batsman was axed from the ODI team unceremoniously following their Ashes defeat to England in 2001. Finally in 2003 he bid adieu to international cricket against India,scored 80. His two decades old illustrative career got over.
Mark Waugh
The twin brother of Steve, Mark Waugh was one of the prolific strikers the ball. His game was characterised by an ability to drive, cut pull and loft the ball so effortlessly that it could make him look disdainful of the talents of bowlers. Although he lived in the shadow of his more famous brother for a number of seasons, progression to the international cricket was inevitable. His debut against England came at the expense of elder brother Steve. His many highlights included a world-record partnership of 464 for the fifth wicket with Steve for New South Wales against Western Australia in 1990-91; his sterling 138 on Test debut; three commanding centuries as an opener at the 1996 World Cup tournament; and 126 to seal the Frank Worrell Trophy in West Indies in 1995. The lowest moment came in late 1998 when it emerged that he and Shane Warne accepted money from an Indian bookmaker during a tour of Sri Lanka four years earlier. A laconic, unassuming character, Waugh announced his retirement from international cricket without fuss in October 2002 after losing his place in the Test squad to play England.
The Flower brothers
Andy Flower
The elder brother of Grant Flower was the strong foundation of Zimbabwe Test team during the ’90s and early years of 21st century. Both the flower brothers debuted against visiting India at Harare Test. Andy the wicketkeeper coming at no.6 scored 59. The left hander was the most technically sound batsman Zimbabwe have ever produced. He was phenomenally consistent during 2000’s. In 2001 he scored 540 runs in a series on Indian soil, frustrated Indian blowers getting out twice only.
He twice captained Zimbabwe leading them for the Test victory against Pakistan in 1994-95, and then becoming the first Zimbabwean to lead a Test tour of England in 2000.
His eye catching performance was against South Africa, he scored 142 and 199 in one Test. However, he finished his international career as a rebel following the tame 2003 world cup tour, citing the “end of democracy” in Zimbabwe. But, Indian fans will never forget this south paw for his gritty innings on Indian soil. Later he plied his trade for Essex from 2000 to 2006 and for South Australia in 2003-2004.
Andy and Grant Flower during their playing days
Grant Flower
Grant was 3 years younger than Andy; both Flower brothers had debuted against India in 1992 Harare Test. Grant was a fitness freak brilliant fielder. He started his career as opener in Test, but later slumped to no.6. However, he started off his international career with a positive note, scoring 82. His unbeaten 201 against Pakistan was his one of the career highlights which helped Zimbabwe to register their first Test victory.
Since then his career took off. A reliable batsman turned into a left arm spinner. In 2003 following his brother’s controversial retirement he was asked to open the innings once again, he failed, except his match winning 96 not out at Trent Bridge in the NatWest series. Because of thumb injury he was ruled out of the 2003-2004 Tri series in Australia. For the first time in 15 years the name of Flowers had not been on the score sheet.
Like his elder brother his retirement also was not smooth. Huge trouble aroused between Zimbabwe players and Zimbabwe Cricket Union. Grant played a role of intermediary. But, there was no amicable solution.
Cricket world has seen the rise and fall of Zimbabwe cricket with the debut and retirement of Flower brothers.
Strang brothers
Paul Strang
He was one of the fine all-rounders of Zimbabwe’s prime time in cricket. During ’90s Zimbabwe was featured with a few quality all-rounders, most of them are siblings. One of the best is Paul Strong, his top-class legs pin with useful lower batting and superb fielding made him reckoning force in the team. He had the ability to handle pressure situation, he proved while scoring his only Test century against Pakistan at Sheikhapura in 1996-97. Paul was a team man, his fighting spirit and unselfish approach to the game were among his great qualities. His match double of a century and five wickets in a Test innings was a major career highlights, and he took great pleasure in his 87 rin partnership with his brother Bryan. Paul’s 8 for 109 against New Zealand at Bulawayo in 200-01 were at the time the best ever record for Zimbabwe in Test cricket.
Bryan Strang
The younger of the Strang brothers Bryan was more known for his military attitude on and off the field than his medium pace with nagging accuracy. He was once described as “the most boring bowler in the world.” The mercurial character had a clash with Zimbabwe cricket Union in 2002, he moved to South Africa amidst of deteriorating political situation in Zimbabwe. Just before the 2003 world cup he said that Zimbabwe should be stripped off the right of hosting world cup matches. In 2003-04 he tired to comeback in the team but ZCU banned on political grounds.
Bryan and Paul Strang
Whittall brothers
Guy Whittall
He was one of the talented bunches of Zimbabwe cricketers. After a successful domestic cricket season he debuted against Pakistan, making his first Test century in Zimbabwe’s first Test win at Harare in 1995, and in 1998-99 completing a Test double hundred the same opponent. His other career highs are unbeaten 188 against New Zealand in September 2000 and played a key role in Zimbabwe’s successful 1999 world cup campaign. After playing 46 Tests and 147 ODIs, including three World Cups, he announced his retirement in March to concentrate on his family business.
Andy Whittall
Andy Whittal, cousin of Guy Whittall, had the unusual distinction of representing his country overseas before playing first class cricket at home. He attended Cambridge University and immediately found a place in the University team. With so many other prominent all-rounders in the team the off-spinner batted usually low down the order. Although a very tall man he could not justified his presence in the team. He lost his place soon after the 1999 world cup and opted to pursue a successful career in sports marketing.
Hussey brothers
Mike Hussey
Mr. Cricket is famous for his copy book cricket. His elegant stroke play is his USP. In just 166 days he became the fastest batsman to notch up 1000 Test runs at an average of 86.18. He was an old fashioned cricketer, but scored quickly with his trade mark cover drive and pull shot.
David Hussey
Like his younger brother Mike, the Victoria all-rounder also had to pile up loads of runs before getting the call of selectors for international duty. He also started his international career late.
MacCullum brothers
Brendon MacCullum
“Brash” as he called himself is a brutal hitter of the ball. It is impossible to look away when he bats. He has the rare ability to bruise any lethal bowling attack alone. One of the examples of his ruthless batting was in the 2015 world cup. His 158 in the inaugural IPL T20 match for Kolkata Knight Riders is one of the glimpses of his stormy batting. As a wicket keeper he is very close to Adam Parore’s 201 Test dismissals. But it seems he does not care about this statistic as he hardly keeps wicket these days.
Nathan MacCullum
The older of MacCullum brothers, Nathan joined his brother in New Zealand ranks in the 2007 ICC T20 world cup in South Africa as a off-spinner. He got the call of selectors following his spectacular performance in emerging player’s tournament in Australia.
Suji brothers
Martin Suji
As a Kenyan bowler he played three world cups and three ICC Trophy competitions. He was the backbone of Kenya’s successful 2003 world cup campaign. Martin picked up a couple of wickets in 2003 world cup. His 3 for 19 against Zimbabwe in the super six match earned him a man of the match award, and helped Kenya to advance in the semifinal.
Tony Suji
He featured in 1999 and 2003 world cup, but ended up not playing a single game. He was the younger brother of Martin Suji. For a long time he was in the team without doing anything. His only notable performance was a hundred against Bermuda in 2005 in intercontinental tournament.
Morkel Brothers
Albie Morkel
The older of the Morkel brothers, Albie Morkel, a right-arm fast-medium bowler and left-handed batsman, was earmarked as the new Lance Klusener, but hasn’t quite been able to live up to his billing despite some glimpses of match-winning skills. He debuted against touring West Indies in 2003-04.
Morne and Albie Morkel
Morne Morkel
He made his Test debut against India in 2006 at the Kingsmead in Durban and has emerged as a frontline bowler for the Proteas in a short span of time. The fact that he burst onto the scene when the likes of Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini were past their prime helped him to establish his position in the team.
Pathan brothers
Irfan Pathan
In his early day in international cricket he was considered as next Kapil Dev for all-round ability. He featured in 2003-2004 Australia tour. He played important role on India’s Test and One Day series victory over arch rival Pakistan. Greg Chappell promoted him at no.3, his 83 against Sri Lanka at Nagpur Test have him a tag of as all-rounder. But after 2006 he gradually lost his composure. But again in 2007 T20 world cup final he won the man of the match award for his calculative bowling. It is unlikely the thirty one year old will make a comeback in the team.
Yusuf Pathan
The older of the Pathan brothers caught public eyes in the inaugural IPL when he alone won the IPL trophy for Rajasthan with his hard hitting batting style. Selectors called him for T20 world cup, but he failed to capitalise on the given opportunity. However, in 2011 just before the world cup his solo performance against New Zealand and South Africa earned him a berth in the world cup squad.
Akmal brothers
Kamran Akmal
He came as replacement of Moin Khan in the Pakistan team. The wicketkeeper batsman was quite like Adam Gilchrist. His explosive batting can change the fate of the match any day at any time. Kamran’s one of the best innings had come against India when Irfan Pathan notched up hat trick on the very first over of the day. He scored a century to bring out Pakistan from the verge of slump. But his Keeping deteriorate quickly which costs Pakistan many games, hence he is out of the team now a days.
Umar Akmal
The younger brother of the Kamran Akmal burst onto international arena with a buzz. In his first Test innings against New Zealand in Dunedin against an attack which included Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori, the 19 year old Umar scored 129 in an innings when his other team mates failed to score more than 30. But unfortunately he replaced his brother in the team as he is more technically sound batsman than his elder brother Kamran, while equally bad Keeper.
